the one where LeAnne makes a really big sign

No doubt most of you have seen this great autumn sign tutorial over at Ella Claire. I pinned it back in September with the hopes of turning it into a reality for my fall decor.

Just before Halloween, I was trying to figure out how I could work that large of a sign into my decor. I don't have wall space for that size of sign, but I did have space above my cabinets in my kitchen. Perfect. The next problem was the color. I didn't think that light of a sign would work as my walls are already cream. So I decided on a black sign with cream letters. You can never go wrong with black. So here is my version. All the design credit goes to Ella Claire.

 

I decided to go big on this sign it measures 60" long by 14" wide. Now I am not going to torture you with saying, "I just found this old board on the side of the street and painted it."  I am NEVER the girl that finds all these great things on the side of the road or at thrift shops. I am not that lucky. I've never even won a giveaway. Ever.

However, I am very lucky to have a wonderful husband that made and had the idea for this board.  He used the pine panels that you use typically for paneled walls that you can find at Home Depot. He cut the panels to size, glued them together, and used some finishing nails to secure everything in place. The panels have two sides. A nice sanded side and a nice rough side. We decided to use the rough side. I painted on one coat of cream craft paint then a layer of black craft paint. (I was not neat when I painted - seriously just slap the paint on the board. ) Then I sanded, using a circular sander to distress. Then I cut a paper stencil using my Cricut for the lettering. I taped the stencils on and painted, painted, and painted. After everything was dry I sanded it again. (I actually sanded it again after I took these pictures.)

So there you have it! A really big, but really terrific fall sign. I love it!

Happy Monday,

LeAnne

Halloween Banner

We are ready for Halloween at our house! Costumes are made, pumpkins are ready to be carved, and  the house is decorated.

Last week I made this fun Halloween Banner for my mantel and I love how it turned out. I made the banner using the Halloween Banner SVG file from Lori Whitlock. I cut the peices out using my Cricut and Sure Cuts Alot software. It was a pretty quick project and can't wait to make some more for other holidays. I hope to find some other fall/Halloween decor on sale this year and built up my stash of fall decor.

 Remember that wreath I mentioned a while back? It has been hanging happily on my mirror, love how it turned out. I also ended up making another for my front door. :) 

Just a little update. I am still working on my quilt tutorial and hope to have that done in a week or so. Can't believe we are Trick or Treating in a few days! I hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween. I am especially thinking of all those on the East Coast in the path of Hurricane Sandy. It is hitting where I grew up in Maryland, so I am thinking and praying for all there.

Happy Monday!

LeAnne

The One Where I Make Another Quilt...

Just popping in to say hello and share a little work in progress. I've been in a quilting storm getting this little quilt ready. These pictures are from last week when I was quilting this sweet little quilt.

I am now done with the quilt and am in the process of photographing and writing up a tutorial! Yay! I made this from the yummy Marmalade line by Bonnie and Camille. I cannot even say how much I love this line. I love everything these talented ladies do, but this has been my favorite line from them yet. The fabric is due in stores any day now...so go and grab some when you see it...it is going to go fast!

See you soon with all the details!

LeAnne :)

Halloween Quiet Book Pattern & Kits

It is Wednesday and I have some Halloween Quiet Book kits all ready and listed in the shop. I've also updated the pattern with two new pages and some fresh fabrics.

 Ghost softie page and witch page

 These are the two new pages. The page on the left is a pocket that holds pumpkin face pieces. The page on the right is a pumpkin that can be 'carved' with the face pieces.

 Removeable spider page and pumpkin with finger puppet page.

The spider has poseable legs.

Halloween Quiet Book Pattern and Kit

This includes everything to make the quiet book!

Or you can get just the pattern. Use your own fabrics and trims to make it truly one of a kind!

Halloween Quiet Book Pattern

Happy Wednedsay...and Happy Halloween Crafting,

LeAnne

What I've Been Up To: Giving a Facelift to...

...this little Halloween goodie.

 The 'original' was made way back in 2009. {Why does that seem like just yesterday?}

Loved it then, love it now. However, it needed a little facelift. So last week I whipped up a new one. New fabrics and a couple new pages. Perfect.

Then I got the crazy idea to make some kits. So over the weekend I took this box of Halloween goodness and assembled some kits.

The updated pattern and kits on track to be listed by Wednesday.

Happy Monday,

LeAnne

tutorial: Ruffled Half/Lap Apron

This is a tutorial I did for another blog a couple of years back. The blog is not actively posting/gone private for the time being. I've gotten quite a few emails asking for it - thanks Pinterest - so I am posting on my blog so you all can see it! Enjoy!

Ruffled Half/Lap Apron Tutorial

- 5/8 yard of cotton fabric - ties & bottom ruffle (red polka dot fabric)
- 1/4 yard each of three cotton fabrics - remaining ruffles (other three fabrics pictured)
- 10.5" x 21" piece or 1/3 yard of cotton fabric (You will not see this fabric, you sew the ruffles to this piece.)
-thread

Notes:
WOF = Width Of Fabric
RST - Right Sides Together
Prewash and dry all fabrics before beginning

1. Cut one 12" x 21" piece from the 1/3 yard of fabric.

2. Cut three 6.5" x WOF (width of fabric - approx 42") pieces from the 1/4 yard pieces. (for ruffles)

3. From the 5/8 yard of fabric cut: (pictured red polka dot fabric)
- one 6.5" x WOF  piece (for ruffle)
- one 6" x 21" piece (for top center band)
- two 6" x 36" pieces (for ties)

4. Take the 12" x 21" piece and fold it into thirds, measure up about 4", fold up to the middle, and iron to crease. Repeat with the top. These will be the marks for your ruffles.

5.  On one long edge of a ruffle piece, fold under 1/4" and press. Repeat. Sew hem in place using 1/8" seam allowance. This will be the bottom edge of the ruffle. Repeat for all the ruffle pieces.

6.  On all but the bottom ruffle piece, repeat step 5 on both short sides of ruffles.

 7. Ruffle the ruffle pieces along the top raw edge. Not sure how to ruffle? Check out my tutorial here.

8. Along the bottom edge of the 12" x 21" piece, pin the bottom ruffle in place with RST and matching the raw edges. (The ruffle will be upside down.) This should be the ruffle with the sides NOT folded under.
Tip: I like pin the sides in place like in the second photo below to help keep the ruffle piece in place.

9. With the ruffle wrong side up, Sew the bottom ruffle in place using, 3/8" seam allowance. 

10. Flip apron to the back and press the seam up towards the top. Serge or zig-zag the raw edge.

11. Top stitch on the front side of the apron about 1/8" from where the bottom ruffle and apron panel meet.

12.  On one side of the apron, fold under 1/4" and press. (From the top of the to the bottom of the ruffle.) Fold under 1/4" and press again. Sew in place 1/8" from the edge. Repeat for the other side.

13. Working from the bottom up, place the next ruffle upside down and right side down on the apron panel. (The right side of the ruffle will be touching the apron.)  Lineup the top raw edge with the first crease from the bottom. Pin in place.

The wrong side of the second ruffle is facing up.

14.  Sewing on the wrong side of the ruffle, sew the ruffle in place. You can sew just on top of the sewing line from ruffling or just beside it, about 3/8" from the edge of the ruffle. Backstitch at beginning and end.

15.  Adjust the ruffle so it now points down to the bottom ruffle. Press. Turn the apron to the back and press with an iron to make sure the apron panel is smooth.

16. Turn the apron over to the front. Press the ruffle again if necessary. Sewing from the front, sew the ruffle in place about 1/2" from top edge of the ruffle. If you lift up the ruffle, all your raw edges should be enclosed.

17. Repeat steps 13 - 16 for the next ruffle. This time line up the ruffle with the next crease line.

18. For the top ruffle, simply line up the raw edges of the apron panel with the top edge of the ruffle. (Wrong side of the ruffle will be touching the apron panel.) Sew in place with 3/8" seam allowance.

19. Sew the ties and top band together RST. (The center band needs to be in the middle and a tie on either side.) It will be WAYYYY long. Press seams open. Fold in half the long way, wrong sides together, and press.

19. Center the WAYYY long band/ties over the apron panel RST and pin. The seams should be on either side of the apron panel. Sew only to the apron panel using 1/2" seam allowance. Do not sew onto the free hanging ties.

20. Press the seam and place the band/ties up as shown below. You should now see the right side of the band/ties. Press well.

21. Now fold the band/ties down, RST so the raw edges of the free hanging ties meet. Pin the free hanging ties every few inches.

22. Start sewing at the end of one tie and continue sewing. Stop when you get to the apron panel. Skip over the apron panel and continue sewing the other tie together. Clip corners at the ends. Press. You will have an opening over the apron panel.

23. Turn the ties right side out. Push the end back through the tie with a wooden spoon or pen.

 24. Working from the back of the apron, tuck the raw edge of the band/tie to the inside and press. Pin in place from the front, being sure to catch the back of the band with your pins. Top stitch 1/4" from the edge starting at one of the ties continuing onto the apron, closing the opening, and ending at the end of the other tie. Press well when completed.

You are done! Enjoy your fun ruffly apron or have fun making it for a friend! Either way, these fun ruffles make wearing an apron just a little more fun and sassy!

Happy Sewing!

LeAnne

Naptime Crafting: Fall Wreath

I love fall.

LOVE it.

Maybe it is because I am from the East coast where falls are full of spectacular colors, the smell of burning leaves, raking leaves, REAL pumpkin patches, and every other fall event imaginable.

I've been dying to make a pretty fall wreath for my front door and today was the day.  I have no idea what I am doing when it comes to wreaths - never made one before - so it was a little interesting. I've been having lots of fun with my hot glue gun, wire, and scissors. Only a few burned fingers...so far

Here is my progress so far....

Loving it so far. There is another spot in my house that needs a similar wreath..hmmm. I am liking this wreath making thing.

Now come on AZ get out of the 90s so I can pull out my long sleeved shirts and curl up with a cuddly quilt...and make a batch or two of pumpkin bars.

I love fall. 

Happy Monday,

LeAnne

What I've Been Up To: New Pattern

I am excited to give you a sneak peek of a new pattern!

This item has been highly requested by customers and I hope it won't disappoint. I just finished a sample and I love how it turned out. It needs a little tweaking so I am making a couple more samples before I say done and done. (So yes, I may have a couple for sale in the shop for you non-sewers!) This new pattern will have lots of options and really be a fun project to make for your family. Lots of traditions could stem from this item. So here is a little sneak peak....

Any guesses? I am sure I am making it far too easy....

Happy Thursday!

LeAnne